Trauma & the Therapeutic Value of Animals
The Power of Pets
“Until one has loved an animal, part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.”
-Anatole France
In loving memory of Bear: 2010 - 2023. You will forever be in our hearts and your spirit lives on in our souls and minds, inspiring us each day to be the best versions of ourselves.
A REASON TO GET OUT OF BED
Aaron was awakened from a deep sleep as his sweet dog licked his face, hoping for a walk and some breakfast. Aaron suffers from Major Depressive Disorder and there were times when he slept for 12-14 hours at a time during particularly dark depressive episodes. That is until he got Scout, his beloved shepherd mix, who needs to be let out to potty, needs food, needs walks, and absolutely loves affection. Scout gives Aaron a purpose, a reason to get out of bed each day. Aaron was groggy and didn’t feel like getting up, but Scout’s persistent licks and nudging finally break Aaron out of his fog and he slowly starts to get out of bed. He throws on shorts, t-shirt, and tennis shoes, grabs Scout’s leash and they head out the door. As the sunshine hits Aaron’s face and they start walking, he can feel the grip of depression start to wane and he can’t help but smile as Scout happily trots down the sidewalk, sniffing as he goes.
FROM ISOLATION TO INVIGORATION
Aaron battled depression for decades, as a result of a traumatic childhood, before a counselor suggested the idea of a pet. Aaron is allergic to cats, but had fond memories of a family dog from childhood. He had a German Shepherd when he was young and loved playing with him and going on adventures. Aaron liked the idea of rescuing a dog from a local shelter and agreed to start looking. He had been isolated for so long, as he works from home, and only leaves to run a few errands a month, so this was an entirely new way of living. As Aaron began scouring the local shelters, he was surprised at how much he enjoyed talking with the shelter employees, gathering supplies from pet stores, and researching dog parks. He found that his depression began to lift and he started looking forward to each new day as his search for the perfect dog continued. His search ended at a shelter about an hour outside his home when he met Scout. Scout was a 3 year old shepherd mix who was abandoned by a family who moved and left him behind. Because he was a bigger dog and could seem intimidating to some folks, he was continually overlooked. Aaron’s experience with his childhood German Shepherd gave him the confidence he needed to take on the care of the big, lovable dog. He felt an instant connection to Scout and each time he visited Scout he was met with excited barks, kisses, and cuddles. Aaron felt invigorated when he finally paid the shelter fee and took his new companion home with him.
5 BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP
Aaron quickly fell in love with his rescue pup and began to volunteer at his local animal shelter because he felt so alive and joyful when he interacted with the animals and the staff. He recognized the benefits of pet ownership and became an ambassador for pet adoption.
COMPANIONSHIP - Loneliness has become its own epidemic in the United States. According to the CDC, social isolation and loneliness can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Pets provide unconditional love and positive regard for their owners in a way that humans cannot. If you watch the way that pets look at their owners, it’s almost as if you can see stars in their eyes. They truly believe the best about their owners and want nothing more than to make them happy.
EXERCISE - Dogs need daily walks and can provide motivation to get outside and to get moving. Walking a dog is so different from traditional gym workouts and often feels much less intimidating. Walking a dog in the morning is the perfect way to get morning light that helps to suppress melatonin production and can improve circadian rhythm. Watching the joy on a dog’s face as they walk and sniff everything in sight is incredibly rewarding and therapeutic.
STRUCTURE/ROUTINE - One of the challenges of mental illness can be a lack of structure. Oftentimes, you’re simply trying to survive, so daily routines that include regular meals, chores, errand running, exercise, and a solid sleep-wake cycle don’t exist. Pets thrive on routines and generally want their meals and walks around the same time each day. This can benefit the pet owners, particularly if they’re struggling with depression or other mental health challenges that make it difficult to get out of bed or to exercise. The look of anticipation on a cat or dog’s face when they’re waiting for their food or walk is precious and motivating!
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - There is nothing quite like the unconditional love of a pet. After a long day at work, the greeting of a pet makes it all worthwhile. Pets see the best in us and they trust us, implicitly. Pets sense our emotions and will often try and comfort us when we’re feeling sad or anxious. The gentle purring of a cat or the licking of a dog lets us know how much they love us and how happy they are with us, which can quickly improve your mood. Their love can be grounding and stabilizing and are often used in conjunction with therapy as an additional support.
MINDFULNESS - Pets are an excellent example of what it means to be mindful. Anyone who has left their dog for a mere 5 minutes and had to run back home for a forgotten item knows how mindful a dog can be. They will instantly receive an excited welcome, as if they were gone for 5 hours. Their dog is completely present and is celebrating their owners return home, no matter how long they were gone. Many dogs love to sit outside and sniff the air and watch the world go by. They are completely present in the moment, not worried about what happened 5 minutes ago or what will happen tomorrow. They are fully present, absorbed in the moment, without any other care in the world. Cats are completely content napping in their owners’ lap, purring away, and loving life. They are our best examples of mindfulness and staying present.
We have so much to learn from our furry friends! They can be the missing piece to our mental healthcare, providing structure, bringing us unconditional love, and teaching us to be mindful.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN AARON?
Begin Adult Trauma Counseling in Columbus, Ohio. You don’t have have to suffer any longer.